6 Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds That Are Great With Kids
Read on to learn about six hypoallergenic dog breeds that are good with kids.
The Best Hypoallergenic Family Dogs
There is no such thing as a totally hypoallergenic dog, but there are breeds that are less likely to cause problems for kids who are prone to allergies. Between 10% and 20% of people are allergic to dogs, but most of them have problems with dog dander, not dog hair. Since the dander is usually stuck to hair, dogs that don't shed much are the least likely to cause allergic reactions.
Some dog breeds that are great with kids but shed a lot, like the Golden Retriever, are also more likely to cause allergic reactions. People who buy a dog like the Goldendoodle sometimes find a dog that doesn't shed a lot, but sometimes, they shed just as much as a Golden.
Dogs that drool a lot are also more likely to cause problems for kids that have allergies. Some studies have found that kids exposed to a dog early in their lives are less likely to become allergic, but this is still being researched.
Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan studied 60 dog breeds and found no “hypoallergenic” dogs that actually have fewer allergens. Groups like the AKC disagree with this and point out that many dogs are great for kids suffering from allergies.
6 Allergy-Friendly Dogs That Are Good With Kids
If you're looking for a list of the best hypoallergenic dog breeds, here are six breeds that I think are both great with kids and perfect for people who are allergic. They are all cute, allergy-friendly, and will not shed hair around your house:
- Portuguese Water Dog
- Bichon Frise
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Havanese
- West Highland White Terrier
- Shih Tzu
Related: 18 Best Hypoallergenic Dogs for an Apartment
Portuguese Water Dogs are a great family-friendly hypoallergenic dog breed.
1. Portuguese Water Dog
This is probably one of the most famous dogs in America at the moment, despite being so uncommon. They do not shed much, are good with kids, and are one of the best.
Former U.S. president Barack Obama decided to get one of these dogs for his daughter, who suffers from allergies. The girl was able to breathe normally around the dog, and the president has become a spokesman for the great qualities of the breed.
Details and Breed Specifics
The Portuguese Water Dog (PWD) used to be known mostly along the coast of Portugal, where he was used to help fishermen retrieve nets, herd fish, and sometimes swim to shore.
He is a medium-sized dog, about 20 to 25 kilos (anywhere from 40 to 60 pounds). Some dogs are curly-haired, and some dogs have wavy hair, but none of them shed much.
They need to be groomed, and they can be expensive, similar to a Standard Poodle.
Health
Portuguese Water Dogs are prone to hip dysplasia, so if you find a puppy, then make sure his parents were X-rayed and certified prior to reproducing.
Some of them will have eyelid problems and develop cataracts or retinal atrophy (PRA). Other health problems they might have are uncommon.
Life Expectancy
PWDs live about 12 years. If you keep them bathed and clipped, provide obedience training, and give them a job or plenty of activity, they make a great pet—both good with kids and easy on the allergies.
The low-shedding Bichon Frise is also known to be good with kids.
2. Bichon Frise
Before President Obama’s decision to get a Portuguese Water Dog, the Bichon Frise was the dog most likely to be suggested when someone said they were looking for a hypoallergenic dog breed good with kids.
Details and Breed Specifics
The Bichon Frise is small (less than 10 kilos, or about 20 pounds), white, happy, and cute. (If you do not care for that silly Bichon Frise haircut, they can also be clipped short about every six weeks and kept in a “puppy cut.”)
They are usually happy to go anywhere and be a part of the activities and have lots of energy to play with the kids.
Health
There are some health issues to be aware of, but generally, these dogs have a good life expectancy. Some Bichons are prone to liver shunts, some of them develop autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), and when they get older, they are prone to several different forms of cancer.
Life Expectancy
If they do not develop any of those diseases, they can live a long time—up to about 15 years. Keeping them bathed, brushed, and clipped will keep them very clean, reducing the dander in your house.
The Miniature Schnauzer is among the best dogs for kids with allergies.
3. Miniature Schnauzer
Miniature Schnauzers are one of the most popular breeds in the world because they do not shed much and are good for people with allergies. They are also great with kids, make excellent watchdogs, and they're really cute!
Details and Breed Specifics
They usually weigh about 5 to 8 kilos (10 to 18 pounds) and look impressive with their wiry beard and mustache, short ears, and spirited watchdog attitude. They do like to bark at strangers, but when push comes to shove, they usually back down and do not bite.
Health
If Miniature Schnauzers are fed a diet that is high in fat, they can develop health problems. They are commonly affected by hyperlipidemia (high fat in the blood) and are prone to pancreatitis. They might also develop eye problems, bladder stones, and diabetes.
Life Expectancy
If they stay healthy, they live about 12 years, and sometimes a lot longer. Their hair needs to be plucked or clipped short, but if they are bathed and their beards are kept clean, they do not spread a lot of allergens.
Related: 7 Small Dogs That Are Great for Families (And a Few That Aren't)
The Havanese is small, hypoallergenic, and great with kids.
cc flickr.com andreaarden 7108580221
4. Havanese
If you have other pets at home, these little dogs can be almost as good as a Maltese. They do much better with children than that breed, however.
Details and Breed Specifics
These dogs are small enough for an apartment (10 to 15 pounds) but sturdy enough to play with kids. They do tend to bark a lot, more than some neighbors might be willing to put up with if you live in an apartment, and some of the dogs have housebreaking issues. They do not do well if left alone all day.
Health
Health problems are usually those that afflict most small dog breeds: dental problems, luxating patellas, and allergies. Some lines also have inherited problems, like liver disease, deafness, and prolapsed nictitating membrane (cherry eye).
Life Expectancy
Healthy Havanese live about 15 years. They can live a lot longer if fed correctly and provided with dental care and good grooming.
Westies are excellent family dogs that don't shed much.
5. West Highland White Terrier
Westies are great for a lot of reasons. Part of their popularity is due to the fact that they do not shed much (and thus are as hypoallergenic as a dog can be), and they are good with kids that treat them with respect. They are also a lot of fun to have around the house.
Details and Breed Specifics
These dogs are small, usually about 7 or 8 kilos (15 to 20 pounds), playful, and protective, like most terriers are!
Health
Like all purebred dogs, Westies do have some health problems. Some dogs develop a disease called “Westie jaw,” where the jaw thickens, and they are unable to swallow normally. Others are prone to allergies, and a few will have a skin disease that looks like an allergy when it appears. Most other problems are less common.
Life Expectancy
If a Westie does not have these problems, she can usually live 14 or 15 years.
They do need to be bathed, and their outer coat should be clipped. If they are trained and socialized, the Westie will be a nice-looking dog that does not spread a lot of dander.
Shih Tzus are a low-shedding breed and make good family pets.
6. Shih Tzu
The hypoallergenic Shih Tzu is one of the best because he is a sweet dog that doesn't shed much and appreciates interactions with kids.
Details and Breed Specifics
Shih Tzus are small, only about 4 to 7 kilos (about 8 to 16 pounds), have long silky hair when not cut like a puppy, and always have an underbite. They are more closely related to wolves than most breeds of dogs but have some very un-wolf-like health issues.
Health
Some of them are prone to back diseases and breathing problems because of their unusual bodies and short noses. Others may have hypothyroidism, plus the weight gain and skin diseases associated with that disease.
Life Expectancy
If they are healthy, however, they usually live about 13 or 14 years. You can keep their coat long and brushed and clip them short like a puppy. Bathe them frequently, and they make a good dog with less potential for causing allergies.
Besides that, playing with kids is natural for a Shih Tzu.
Related: How Are Dogs Any Different Than Wolves?
The Maltese is almost hypoallergenic, but not the best with kids.